victory_road | [🌸1 || Video]

[There's a bit of a racket going on before the video feed flicks on, what sounds like the panting of a dog, some reassuring "I know, I know" from a feminine voice.

Then the video turns on.

Botan seems lightly amused at returning to Johto, but she's had some time to readjust. She's exactly where she's supposed to be now, which is why--despite clearly appearing to be a newcomer--it doesn't look like she's on the starting routes.

To anyone else, they will just see a perky young woman, smiling sweetly at the camera. She appears to be dressed in a kimono, though her outlandishly bright blue hair might be more attention-grabbing.

Either that, or the shaggy sheepdog-looking creature sitting next to her, which she is serenely petting despite the candle on its head being a risk to her sleeves.]

Botan here! I do beg your pardon, I'm new only by technicality--I'm a returning person. I'm very sorry for not announcing my presence sooner, I was a bit busy with my fiancee.

[And her smile turns brighter (if that's even possible).]

This is my new friend, Houta. [Meaning the Greavard, who rumbles something understandable to her (and anyone else who could understand the speech of a Pokemon) as "yeahyeahyeahyeah--me, that's me, I'm Houta--me."] I'm a Breeder, though it will take a bit of time for me to set that back up, since I don't have my Pokemon anymore besides those Korra kept. I suppose it's safe to assume that there's still no real organization for us, hmm?

[It's to be expected, after all, Breeders do tend to just throw out their eggs into the wind.]

And, to my friends and associates who might recognize me, I'm so sorry for leaving. But I'm home now! I missed you all very much!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Buddy!

[Beetlejuice is shocked and dismayed.]

Where's all this coming from? You're a great Pokemon--just like the psychic lady says! C'mere!

[He lifts Dave in his arms and plants a bunch of loud smooches all over his fake bobble head.]

You're the best! No more of this negative self-talk!

[A beat.]

Do as I say, not as I do.

Well, there now, you see?

[PDA aside (she's used to it), it's a very sweet and genuine scene!]

It was just a misunderstanding!

[He ruffles Dave's head affectionately.]

Well THAT'S cleared up. Thanks for the free reading, lady! Where I'm from you have to pay 2.99 a minute for that kinda thing.

Oh, I mean, it's my job? Getting spirits to calm down makes it easier to help them go to the afterlife and all. It'd be weird to ask them to pay me for it, unless you count sticking a coin under their tongue initially.

[2.99 a minute is steep, though, good golly.]

[Beetlejuice tilts his head. The gears are turning.]

Oh, your a psychopomp not a psychic. My bad!

Oh, yay! That's usually a lot harder to explain to people--they freak!

[Then it goes into the "but you're a girl" thing and yadda yadda--boring! Humans can be really boring!]

[Beetlejuice bursts out laughing--it's a harsh, ratcheting sound, but also joyful.]

Sounds just LIKE the living! Freakin' people out is my whole bag. Been doin' it for oooooh, six hundred years or something like that? I honestly don't keep track.

Ohhh, you're a mischievous kind of spirit. Yes, I've been escorting spirits across the river for...700, maybe 800? I don't know.

Either way, I can't complain, I look good for my age!

[A little "being nebulously living/dead" humor there.]

It's nice to finally meet someone my own age around here! You don't look a day over 200!

[He knows she's taken, but he has to flirt a little anyways.]

[She doesn't mind, it's part of the job that someone's going to flirt with her. It's more amusing than anything and not having to answer any bewildered or disbelieving existential questions is nice.]

Oh, you, stop it! All the other ghoulies don't even look like they're past 150!

Aw, they got nothin' on you, babe!

Mummy named this ghoul Botan, but thank you!

[The only accurate portion of that statement was the manners and her name being Botan, she doesn't have a mom.]

And does Mr. Poltergeist have a name?

Oh! Where are my manners!

[ He flutters his lashes and gestures to himself with a fanned out hand. ]

I'm Beetlejuice. Say it once, say it twice, third time's a charm!

Beetlejuice, interesting. You look more like a Golgotha to me.

[No he doesn't.]

Well--first of all, I rarely meet people who actually call me a psychopomp, but it's nice when it happens. As funny as it is seeing the reaction, I get a little bored being called the grim reaper--I prefer something more fun like "your friend taking you on a cruise down the Styx"! That sounds nice, doesn't it?

Second, Dave is adorable. I hope you find your Pokemon soon. I have a Mimikyu, if I find her again, that he can play with her some time if you like.

Edited (time for a game of disappearing words) 2023-09-05 02:51 (UTC)

Oh, why thank you!

_{[He thinks.]}

I'm a bit of a guide to the other side myself--but it's less of an all-encompassing purpose and something I do for funsies. Mostly I teach spirits how to scare the living so they can haunt their homes in peace.

So you're more of a poltergeist, a rambunctious one. Yes, generally we don't deal with poltergeists since they can be, hmmmm, overwhelming to deal with.

[In BJ's case, he'd be annoying. In the ones Botan's thinking of, they're more...dangerous.]

Oh, babes--Botan--I am the poltergeist.

[Yeah, that's about what they all say, too.]

Oh, of course, sir, there's no doubt. No-body but a gei-st like yourself can claim that!

_{[He barks out a laugh at her pun. He loves this chick!]}

You could say I have the spirit in me!

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[Video] sorry this took uuuuh a month to get to, feel free 2 ignore